Disagreeing with party's decision, section of RJD MLAs root for Manjhi

A section of RJD MLAs in Bihar are in disagreement with party chief Lalu Prasad's decision to back Nitish Kumar to re-assume chief ministership and are rooting for the beleagured Chief Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi.

"I will request the party and urge Lalu Prasad to continue support to Manjhi who hails from mahadalit community," senior RJD MLA Raghvendra Pratap Singh told PTI on Sunday.

Singh said he would make the point at the RJDLP meeting called on February 9.

RJD submitted a letter of support in favour of Kumar to Governor Keshari Nath Tripathi during the day. RJDLP leader Abdul Bari Siddiqui had accompanied JD(U) state president Basistha Narayan Singh and Congress LP leader Sadanand Singh to the Raj Bhawan to pledge their parties' support.

Related read: It will send wrong message: Pappu Yadav over decision to sack Manjhi

Singh, a former minister, said RJD has been championing social justice from the beginning and "going against Manjhi would not go down well with the people." He claimed at least 7-8 other RJD MLAs are of this view.

Sources in Chief Minister's office said Raghavendra Pratap Singh and another RJD MLA Brij Kishore Singh had gone to meet Manjhi at the chief minister's house in the evening.

When contacted Brij Kishore Singh told PTI, "I had gone to meet the CM for some personal work." The support of RJD, Congress and CPI is crucial for Kumar to stake claim to form the government. He will do so formally after the Governor returns from Kolkata tomorrow morning.